Two 14-year-old boys are under arrest after Lewiston police said they stole a front-end loader and led officers on a chase, ending when an officer shot at the loader's tires.

Lewiston police responded to help the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office early Monday morning for a report of a front-end loader damaging mailboxes and fire hydrants in Sabattus, police said in a release.

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The teens used the front-end loader to knock down the sign at Fielder’s Choice Ice Cream and were caught on camera around 3:30 a.m.

“When I came in this morning, I noticed the sign was on the ground, so I decided to take a look at the video surveillance and I saw what appeared to be a bucket loader,” said manager Nate Gillson.

The loader was stolen in West Gardiner, police said.

Police attempted to stop the vehicle and started to block off streets, the release said.

The juveniles drove down several Lewiston streets, swerving at police cruisers, hitting one. The officer was not injured, officials said.

Lewiston police said officers followed the loader onto the Turnpike to keep traffic away and notified state police.

In New Gloucester, the driver crossed into the northbound line and deliberately hit a car, police said.

"Fearing a possible loss of life due to the erratic and dangerous operation, a Lewiston police officer fired three shots at the tires of the loader. The end result was that the operator stopped the loader, and the chase ended," police wrote in the release.

The Lewiston Police Department is working with the Maine State Police and the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office. Police said charges are forthcoming.

“It’s obviously a very dangerous situation when you're driving into and deliberately striking police cars and other vehicles,” explained Adam Higgins of the Lewiston Police Department. “It's a deadly situation and had to [be] stopped right away.”

The Attorney General's office has been notified about the incident, police said. It is standard procedure anytime an officer discharges a weapon while on duty.